Traditional Home, Libya

Kasim Abdu Salaam Habib, 39, opens his lovingly decorated 600-year-old home to foreign tourists in Ghadames in western Libya. The house needs repairs, and visitors are scarce these days. But Habib is optimistic. "I want to see Libya as a democracy," he says.

See more pictures from the February 2013 feature story "New Old Libya."

@Cedar Waxwing I think, the room does have window. Actually there are two windows...One is in front and the 2nd is on the left side of the pic. Please don't be confused with other decorated doors placed under the stairs. Those are closets. Also, the red box decorations (two in front and the other one is at left) are ventilation system (perforated bricks), usually made beside/around doors or windows in old fashioned houses.

@Abdullah Farooque@Cedar Waxwing One, maybe two windows you can't look out of, is not my idea of having windows. May I add, pretty doors leading to closets doesn't help my claustrophobia. Plus I prefer a chair, maybe a reading lamp, throw a few books in, you know, just some of the simple comforts in life you might not find in a jail. I know there are different strokes for different folks and this may be comfort for some. But for me it still gives me an uncomfortable feeling of being boxed in. Plus for me, this room is ostentatious. And I know that's a culture thing. It's just how I feel.